Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-01

sometimes wondered ut it
They had not long to wait. for the
sound of rustling silk in the hall an
nounced that Hester had come.
Miss Clyde. my friend. Mr.. FASTER
field" began Jack. but he was COM
pletely unnoticed by either: He never
saw Hester act So strangely.
She was deathly white. and stood in
the center of the room. supporting her
self by chair. her eyes directed
straight at her visitor.
Jack was not a man of the world.
II. was surprised. as many another
would have been. at the turn affairs
had taken. He was, withal, little
angry.
'.Pasterficld." he began. stcrnly.
':you did not tell me you were acquaint-
ell with Miss Clyde"
Hester answered.
Yes. Jack" she said. softly. as the
color returned to her face, eve have
known one another for years-since 1
was mt school,"
Brandt was kind to bring me-"
said Pasterfield. in his deep even
tones
He is always kind" said their
hostess. smiling brightly at Jack. who
was rapidly regaing his composure.
The conversation became general,
and Hester appeared once more at her
ease. At last, the tao rose to go. and
Jack hurried through tie folding doors
to the hall.
MAY call?" he heard Pasterfia Il d
ask. ''there is so much want to say,
SO much to explain.
Once. only once" he heard Hester
say. and the two joined him in the
hall.
Martin Pasterfield was tacitylrn.
when he felt disposed. and Jack was
too well bred to question his friend
when he wishe to be silent. But he
felt during his walk home. that he had
somehow been imposed upon. although
he could not tell in what way.
50 Hester--our Hestcr-has her
secret" he soliloquized. as he smoked
his last cigar before retiring. "A
schoolgirl romance. l suppose; but
it's strange she never told me about it.
thought she told me every thing. but
l see l have been mistaken. I'll ques-
ton her in the morning, and she may
tell me or not just rs she pleases. But
l really think I ought to know" With
these thoughts busy in his brain. he
went to sleep.
1t was later than usual when Hester
appeared at the breakfast-table the
following morning. She showed signs
of having slept little, bit took her ac-
customed place by the side of the table
nearest the fireplace. She was too
busy with her thoughts to touch the
food.
Eight years ago. she first saw Mar
tin Pastcrfield. while she was ut school.
He was boarding in the village for the
summer, and they met frequently. All
went we'll for time. until through
association, the two fell desperately in
love with one another. With Hester,
such love meant every thing. She
had liked men before. but her love for
this man was so strong. so deep. so
terrible. that it frightened her But
another girl at the same school, dark
Southern bcauty-had strong pas
sion for the blonde stranger. 1t all
came about so suddenly. that Hester
could never understand it, but one
morning she found note from her
lover saying that it grieved him TO
find her false, and that he cared not
what became of him. The same morn
ing. both Martin and the Southern
girl left the school and the village.
News of their marriage was received
shortly after. Hester. although she
felt the shock keeniy. was not heart
broken. She was too sensible girl for
that, but she never could under
stand why Martin had treated her so
badly. yet she was ever willing. in her
heart. to make allowances. if not to
forgive him. She. perhaps. after this
CNDcTlcuCc, ustu 1853 III AACus
but she had not grown cynical nor
soured by it. A great disappointment
may purify or imbitter whole life.
Hester had been made strong.
It was Martin. instead of Jack, who
sent up his card while Hester was at
breakfast.
She would see her caller in the
she said to her maid.
No. on second thought. she would re-
ceive him in the breakfast-room. Why
should she be formal? The disagree
able interview would soon be over.
and thcn-he was shown in.
Hester could not but admire him as
he stood by the dark portiere. She
was angry with herself. and doubly
angry with him. Why should she
have any kindly feeling for him? Why
did she permit him to call second
time? She did not speak. Those
eyes that she knew SO we'll. were look
ing her through and through. They
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